Chapter 2 – Redemption

The sun finally sank below the horizon, and stars appeared in the sky, mirroring the starry river in the golden powder stream.

He Lan Jingjiang stood straight like a silver spear, yet his head was respectfully lowered as he replied with clasped hands, “Your Majesty, please forgive me. In my time of hardship, I received the kindness of the Duchess of Jingguo. Now that her son, the Prince of Jingguo, is young but seems to have a preference for men, the Duchess asked me through someone else to slowly advise him. Before leaving the capital, I thought to repay this favor. He’s just a bit naive and doesn’t know any better, but he has no bad record. I beg Your Highness to forgive him—it’s my fault for not knowing that you would suddenly arrive, coincidentally on the day I had arranged to meet him, causing him to offend your presence.”

Xie Yi turned his head and said indifferently, “Decline the offer.” A mother who knew her young son preferred men should discipline and educate him rather than pay a famous courtesan from the pleasure quarters to “advise” him. The family was indeed peculiar, but the atmosphere among the capital’s nobles was decadent, and which household didn’t have a few absurdities? Even if the Duke of Jingguo wasn’t in charge, his reputation for drinking, gambling, and whoring was well known. With such a father, the son was naturally also absurd. It couldn’t be blamed on the Duchess of Jingguo. It was a pity that the young man had such good looks, soon to be corrupted by the pleasures of life, turning him into an ordinary drunkard.

He Lan Jingjiang bowed, saying, “As you command.”

Xie Yi said, “Soon, I will order someone to release you from your servitude, but it won’t be publicized. I hope you can blend in and lie low, waiting until you’ve achieved military merit, and when the time is right, I will rehabilitate your grandfather and father.”

He Lan Jingjiang responded, “I thank you for your grace, and I am willing to go to the border immediately to defend the country for Your Majesty.” His face was handsome, his features noble, and his demeanor calm, neither humble nor arrogant. There wasn’t a hint of femininity about him, showing no signs of having been a courtesan for many years.

Xie Yi looked at him for a long time before nodding slightly. “Go.”

That night, under the dim stars and moon, He Lan Jingjiang left the capital with his personal soldiers, carrying the appointment letter from the Ministry of War. The young lord of the Duke of Jingguo, Xu Chun, had no idea that the person he had met wasn’t the famous He Lan Gongzi from southern Jiang, and he returned home filled with melancholy.

Xie Yi considered it a minor incident, but half a month passed quickly. Then the chief eunuch, Su Huaibei, cautiously reported, “Two days ago, Your Majesty ordered me to send someone to release General Helan from his entertainment register. I didn’t dare neglect the matter and immediately instructed my subordinates to handle it at the Jingzhao Prefecture. However, today we received word that someone from the Duke of Jingguo’s residence had redeemed him and removed him from the register. It was Young Lord Xu of the Duke of Jingguo’s residence.”

Xie Yi was somewhat surprised. “Wasn’t it said that he was in the entertainment register and couldn’t be released? I don’t remember the Duke of Jingguo having such power to command the Prefect of Jingzhao. Jiang Xian, the Prefect of Jingzhao, comes from a proper imperial examination background and usually doesn’t associate with nobles.”

Su Huaibei gave a bitter smile. “Money talks, Your Majesty.”

Xie Yi was now interested. “How much did the young lord spend?”

Su Huaibei whispered, “One hundred thousand.”

Xie Yi laughed. “One hundred thousand coins for his redemption? Jiang Xian’s standards are too shallow.”

Su Huaibei whispered, “Not one hundred thousand coins, Your Majesty, but one hundred thousand taels of silver, in Huixiang Bank’s silver notes.”

One hundred thousand taels of silver! Xie Yi’s expression changed. Su Huaibei explained, “I sent palace guards to ask. Prefect Jiang knew that the Emperor was asking and confessed everything out of fear. One hundred thousand taels of silver could indeed move mountains. Prefect Jiang didn’t dare take it for himself, intending to use it to fill the deficit in the Jingzhao Prefecture’s accounts. An honest report of guilt has already been submitted. The Jingzhao Prefecture has always had deficits, left over from the previous Prefect. The deficit has now grown to over one hundred thousand taels of silver. Seeing this sum, and considering it was only a small matter of removing someone from the register, unrelated to the nation’s foundation, Prefect Jiang took the risk and accepted it. I asked, and Prefect Jiang didn’t dare hide it. He truthfully handed over the silver notes to me. Please take a look, Your Majesty.”

Xie Yi lowered his eyebrows, glancing at the silver notes on the tray, picking one up and examining it. He gave a cold laugh. “He spends money lavishly; does the Duke of Jingguo’s allowance suffice?”

Su Huaibei said, “Your Majesty, the wife of the Duke of Xu, Lady Sheng, comes from a wealthy merchant family in Fujian. This young lord has always spent money like water.”

Xie Yi was silent for a moment before laughing coldly again. “It’s long been rumored that Fujian is rampant with men loving men. No wonder Lady Sheng, upon learning of her son’s preference for men, didn’t beat or scold him but tried to gently persuade him. Spending one hundred thousand taels of silver is equivalent to a province’s annual tax revenue. Such reckless spending is too indulgent and spoiling. Kind mothers often ruin their children.”

Su Huaibei hesitated for a moment before smiling and explaining, “I’ve discreetly inquired about the young lord’s reputation. Although he indeed enjoys drinking and playing and spends money extravagantly, he hasn’t committed any serious offenses. I’ve never heard of him bullying men or women or keeping actors or courtesans…”

Xie Yi laughed coldly. “That’s because he’s young and hasn’t had the chance yet. That day, he acted on impulse when he saw something attractive…” Xie Yi suddenly stopped, realizing that it wasn’t glorious for him to be the object of someone’s attraction. He didn’t mention it further, saying instead, “Jiang Xian will have his salary deducted for half a year, and within a year, he must fill the deficit. As for the one hundred thousand taels… since it was given to redeem me… I’ll accept this favor.”

He picked up the light silver note, his lips curving slightly. “I see that this young lord is much wealthier than me. Although I possess the wealth of the nation, I couldn’t take out so much cash all at once. Didn’t the Empress Dowager complain the other day that I wouldn’t build a garden?”

Su Huaibei raised his head slightly. “Your Majesty is indeed overly frugal. Since Your Majesty took control of the government, Chengqian Palace and the Imperial Garden haven’t been renovated. Should they be renovated now?”

Xie Yi shook his head. “It’s just for eating and sleeping. Why renovate it so grandly? If I do, Cisheng Palace will naturally also need renovations. Following suit, all the princes and nobles will see and compete to have the most beautiful and spacious palaces, burdening the people. Send it to the Ministry of Works. Last time, Minister Jiang mentioned that the new-style warships lacked funds. Give it to him.”

He placed the silver note back on the tray, pausing for a moment. “I won’t take it for nothing. This young lord is so extravagant and wasteful, spending money lavishly. Naturally, he uses the money of Lady Sheng, the wife of the Duke of Zhenguogong. Check if Lady Sheng currently holds a noble rank. Grant her one.”

Su Huaibei had accompanied Xie Yi outside the palace when they encountered Xu Sun, and he had already investigated after returning. Seeing the emperor inquire, he hurriedly answered, “After accompanying Your Majesty outside the palace, I checked the situation of the Duke of Jingguo’s residence…”

Xie Yi raised his eyes, thinking for a moment. “Is the Dowager Lady of the Duke of Jingguo still alive?”

Su Huaibei replied, “Yes, the Dowager Lady of the Duke of Jingguo and the wife of the previous Duke of Jingguo, Xu Anfeng, both hold first-rank noble titles. They are still in mourning at the Duke of Jingguo’s residence and haven’t remarried.”

Xie Yi laughed. “That explains it. I still have some impression of Xu Anfeng. He was somewhat successful in his studies and could get things done. Xu Anlin is truly a drunkard. Wives are honored by their husbands, and this Duke of Jingguo has never held a position, having achieved no merits. What reason would he have to request a title? Lady Sheng is of merchant origin, with no one supporting her from her family. Her husband and son seem unreliable. There is also a Dowager Lady and a sister-in-law, both noble ladies, in the residence. Lady Sheng probably doesn’t have an easy life. Grant her a first-rank noble title. One hundred thousand taels for her mother’s first-rank noble title; I didn’t take his money for nothing.”

Su Huaibei smiled. “Your Majesty sees through everything. The young lord has an older half-brother and several younger half-brothers. His original wife, Lady Sheng, not only lacks a noble title but also has only one son. Perhaps she’s overly doted on her child.”

Xie Yi raised his eyes and looked at him, smiling. “It seems you have a favorable impression of that lustful and foolish young lord?”

Su Huaibei had served the emperor for many years and was deeply favored. Naturally, he was bolder. “I’ve discreetly inquired. This young lord spent one hundred thousand taels of silver to release General He Lan from his register but specifically told the Jingzhao Prefecture not to reveal to General He Lan who spent the money. He said that it was a grace from the court. I also sent someone to ask General He Lan without revealing anything. Indeed, General He Lan doesn’t know about this. He only thinks that it was an act of kindness from the Emperor. Afterward, the young lord never bothered General He Lan again.”

Xie Yi looked at him, and Su Huaibei continued, “To spend one hundred thousand taels of silver without a word is indeed somewhat chivalrous. Your Majesty, when my family was punished, and those under twelve were taken into the palace, even if someone had paid three taels of silver, they could have redeemed me…” Su Huaibei’s eyes reddened slightly.

Xie Yi laughed. “What chivalry? I think he’s a foolish fool, unaware of the hardships of farming. Since Grand Eunuch Su admires him so much, I’ll let you deliver this title. Since Lady Sheng comes from great wealth, it gives you a chance to gain some profit.”

Su Huaibei was stunned, quickly smiling broadly. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s consideration for this slave. This title could originally be issued by the Ministry of Rites… Since it’s Your Majesty’s grace, delivered by a palace official, it’s a personal reward from the Son of Heaven. If the Duke of Jingguo’s residence asks about the reason for this reward…”

Xie Yi laughed. “You’re good at seeking rewards for him. Since I’ve granted him a favor, I might as well give him some dignity. Say that Lady Sheng is wise and has raised her son well. Young Lord Xu donated one hundred thousand taels of silver to the Ministry of Works for shipbuilding. Considering his youth, commend his mother, and choose a few pieces of Yunhe satin to bestow on Xu Chun.”

Su Huaibei immediately knelt down. “Thank Your Majesty for your great grace, giving this slave the honor.”

Xie Yi waved his hand. “Go.”

Su Huaibei hurriedly bowed and left the study. He first ordered someone to convey the Emperor’s verbal instructions to the Ministry of Rites, taking the noble title there. He also ordered someone to select two pieces of Yunhe gold satin from the inner treasury, a set of four treasures of the scholar’s desk as tributes, and a pair of amber bracelets. Seeing that the Ministry of Rites, upon hearing that it was a personal grant from a palace official, quickly sent someone to deliver the written noble title, he ordered a carriage to leave the palace.

Su Huaibei went to the Duke of Jingguo’s residence, bringing only his young apprentice, Zhao Side, who was only fourteen years old. As Zhao Side helped Su Huaibei into the carriage, he laughed. “Why should Master Su personally go for such a trivial matter? Let us run the errand, and we’ll bring the reward back for you.”

Su Huaibei laughed. “What do you understand? I must personally handle this matter.”

Zhao Side was puzzled. “I’ve heard that the Duke of Jingguo’s residence is declining generation by generation, even unable to make ends meet, selling off many ancestral properties, and having to marry into a merchant family for support. Why do you value it so much, Master?”

Su Huaibei said, “When you understand, you’ll be ready to become independent, and I can retire.”

Zhao Side smiled. “Master Su is the Emperor’s favorite person. How could the Emperor do without you? Today, I saw you report to the Emperor and come out as if you had cried. Did His Majesty grant you another favor?”

Su Huaibei said, “You don’t understand. The Emperor likes people who are soft-hearted and cherish relationships, like this Duchess of Jingguo. Although she spoils her son excessively… the beauty lies in this excessive indulgence…” Su Huaibei stopped, not wanting to mention Empress Dowager Fan. She treated the Emperor with no mother-son affection. Looking at this Duchess of Jingguo, who clearly knew her son preferred men but still humbled herself to ask others to act so tactfully, her love for her son was sincere. Although the Emperor criticized kind mothers for spoiling their children, he still rewarded the Duchess of Jingguo with a noble title. This was the depth of the imperial heart.

Su Huaibei added, “If you want to stand firm in front of the Emperor, remember one thing: cherish relationships and remember past kindnesses.”

Zhao Side said, “Ah? Didn’t you always say to be loyal and righteous?”

Su Huaibei shook his head. “Loyalty and righteousness are our duty as servants and ministers… to do better than this, you must add a little emotion. But we’re still servants, so you must grasp the balance well…”

He touched the Buddhist beads on his wrist. “Do you remember the case of filial disobedience in Jingzhao Prefecture that reached the Ministry of Justice for review at the beginning of the year? A scholar, protecting his pregnant wife, offended his mother a few times. Enraged, the mother went to the authorities to accuse her son of filial disobedience. Filial disobedience is one of the ten major sins. The authorities planned to revoke the scholar’s title and exile him three thousand miles away. After reviewing the case, the scholar confessed without reservation. However, when the Ministry of Justice submitted it to the Emperor, the Emperor ordered Jingzhao Prefecture to re-examine the case, summoning the pregnant daughter-in-law for private questioning. The daughter-in-law sobbed that her mother-in-law was unkind, committing adultery with a widowed neighbor, falsely accusing her son to monopolize the family wealth, while her son was kind, filial, and upright, unwilling to expose his mother’s ugliness.”

“Upon further investigation, calling the adulterous neighbor to testify, both confessed. Many neighbors knew about their affair. But according to the law, the daughter-in-law exposing her mother-in-law was also unfilial. Therefore, the Ministry of Justice deliberated that the mother-in-law’s adultery should be punished. The son’s title could be preserved, and the filial disobedience could be forgiven, but the daughter-in-law violated propriety and reputation and, according to the law, should receive one hundred strokes and be expelled from her husband’s family.”

“The scholar refused to divorce his wife, demanding to take the punishment in her place, renouncing his title, and only wishing to stay with his wife.”

While talking, the guards outside reported that they had arrived at the Duke of Jingguo’s residence.